Mission:
The mission of HT is to inspire, nurture, enrich, empower, educate, entertain and challenge artists and audiences with theatrical productions that range from the classics to new works; we train and support the next generation of theatre artists; we provide arts education programs that promote life-long learning to a diverse community; and we celebrate the essential power of the theatre to illuminate our common humanity.
History:
It began with a passion for theatre; 56 years later the passion still lives on. The first inklings of Hendersonville Theatre began in 1966, prompted by a groundswell of interest from local theater supporters. The theater’s first location was a storage building on Haywood Road, owned by noted Henderson County native and entrepreneur Clifton Shipman. He also owned the beloved barn on State Street that the theater used as a performance and rehearsal space for more than 40 years.
During those decades, what was known as Hendersonville Little Theatre produced dozens of dramas, comedies, mysteries, and musicals. Despite the barn’s cramped quarters, the theater thrived and drew crowds from Henderson County and beyond. In 2012 it moved to its current location, an old church on Washington Street, which allowed it to expand programming and educational workshops. In 2021, the theatre changed it’s name to Hendersonville Theatre, with a commitment to inclusion, diversity and transformative theatrical experiences for everyone.
